Nigeria to play Ethiopia in friendly on Saturday

By Lolade Adewuyi

Jan 1, 2014 10:00:00 PM

The Super Eagles will play against the Walya Antelopes in Abuja as part of warm up for the CHAN tournament that commences on January 11

Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B will play a friendly match against Ethiopia’s national team on Saturday, January 4, at the National Stadium, Abuja, as part of preparation for the 3^rd African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.
Both teams will play in the championship that's meant exclusively for senior professionals playing in the domestic league of their countries which will take place over three weeks in three South African cities.
The Walya Antelopes will play in Group C of the competition alongside Ghana, Congo and Libya in Mangaung, while the Super Eagles in Group A will confront hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique in Cape Town.
General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Musa Amadu, said on New Year’s Day that the Federation arranged the match in order to give the Eagles an appropriate final build-up session before flying to South Africa.
“We contacted a number of countries also heading to the 3rd Orange African Nations Championship, and we are delighted that the Ethiopians accepted our offer. They will arrive in Nigeria on Friday, play the game on Saturday and depart from Abuja on Sunday,” Amadu explained.
Ethiopia got the short end of the stick against Nigeria’s A Team in their African final elimination fixture for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, losing home and away 1-4 on aggregate.
The Antelopes delegation, to be led by Yoseph Tesfaye, includes 23 players and six officials. The coach is Sewnet Bishaw, who is also coach of Ethiopia’s A Team.
ETHIOPIA’S 23 PLAYERS: Jemal Tasew, Dereje Alemu, Tariku Getent, Degu Debebe, Aynalem Hailu, Thok James, Biyadiglign Elyas, Alula Girma, Seyoum Tesfaye, Birhanu Bogale, Abebaw Butako, Asrat Megersa, Fasika Asfaw, Mentsenot Adane, Salahadin Bargicho, Ephrem Ashamo, Behailu Assefa, Minyahile Teshome, Taddele Menghesa, Omod Okwury, Adane Girma, Dawit Fekadu, Manaye Fantu  -------------- goal.com